2014-2015 University of Texas Medical Branch - Galveston Application Thread

[calpal]

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cGPA - 3.9
sGPA - 3.8
MCAT - 27

I interviewed in October!

Congrats! Are you a URM?

 

[DrLovegood]

Congrats! Are you a URM?

Not going to lie, I had to look up what a URM was, lol. But no, Im not a URM!

 

[Calimd2019]

I'm on the waitlist (so...not a current student) and would LOVE for spots to open up, but I feel that UTMB is an extremely solid choice.
1. USMLE scores there are VERY strong.
2. The school is well-connected across Texas (something important to me as I want to stay in-state).
3. There's ample opportunity for research (was 3rd highest funding in Texas after UTSW and Baylor if I recall correctly).
4. THE BEACH, and the schedule, and the lack of major downtown (with Houston close enough if you want a night off).
5. Students place to pretty solid residencies (just look at recent match!).

That being said, I don't know where else y'all have been accepted, and I'm sure those programs have good strengths too, especially if they're in Texas 🙂 Good luck in your decision! I'd love to go to UTMB too.

I was always curious about your #1 statement, since I've heard since the beginning of the cycle how amazing UTMB's USMLE scores are (this was one factor I was considering strongly). According to these links:

National Average USMLE Step 1 score / Average UTMB USMLE Step 1 score:

2011: 226 / 230
2012: 228 / 230
2013: 229 / 230
2014: 230 / 230

Don't get me wrong, I agree with everything else you said and still think UTMB is an exceptional school, just not the phenomenal USMLE scores most people think and say during application season.

http://www.utmbhealth.com/doc/Page.asp?PageID=DOC000854 (Their chart is slightly misleading, since USMLE.org has different USMLE national averages)
http://www.usmle.org/pdfs/transcripts/USMLE_Step_Examination_Score_Interpretation_Guidelines.pdf

 

[deleted642351]

I was always curious about your #1 statement, since I've heard since the beginning of the cycle how amazing UTMB's USMLE scores are (this was one factor I was considering strongly). According to these links:

National Average USMLE Step 1 score / Average UTMB USMLE Step 1 score:

2011: 226 / 230
2012: 228 / 230
2013: 229 / 230
2014: 230 / 230

Don't get me wrong, I agree with everything else you said and still think UTMB is an exceptional school, just not the phenomenal USMLE scores most people think and say during application season.

http://www.utmbhealth.com/doc/Page.asp?PageID=DOC000854 (Their chart is slightly misleading, since USMLE.org has different USMLE national averages)
http://www.usmle.org/pdfs/transcripts/USMLE_Step_Examination_Score_Interpretation_Guidelines.pdf

You seem to be right about averages. I don't remember the exact purpose of the slide that made me think they had strong USMLEs. I think the info they were showing us on interview day was broken down by specialty, and in areas where they matched many students they also had high scores. At that point, it's sort of a no-brainer (of course better scores will increase the likelihood to match). What struck me is that the high scores were clustering by specialty.

 

[Calimd2019]

You seem to be right about averages. I don't remember the exact purpose of the slide that made me think they had strong USMLEs. I think the info they were showing us on interview day was broken down by specialty, and in areas where they matched many students they also had high scores. At that point, it's sort of a no-brainer (of course better scores will increase the likelihood to match). What struck me is that the high scores were clustering by specialty.

Yeah, I remember that slide also. Maybe it was just there to show and encourage us that that they do have their students match into those competitive residencies!

 

[DrLovegood]

Just declined my offer. I hope that my spot goes to one of you guys!
🙂

 

[deleted642351]

Just declined my offer. I hope that my spot goes to one of you guys!
🙂

Thanks for letting us know! Out of curiosity, where did you choose?

 

[Dr Granger]

I declined my offer as well! Goodluck to all of you 🙂

I decided to stick with A&M if anyone is curious

 

[Silverflash]

I declined my offer as well! Goodluck to all of you 🙂

I decided to stick with A&M if anyone is curious

That's a tough decision to make, they're both great schools! Best of luck at A&M!

 

[deleted642351]

I declined my offer as well! Goodluck to all of you 🙂

I decided to stick with A&M if anyone is curious

I agree with @Silverflash, that's a tough decision! Hard to make the wrong choice 🙂 Congratulations!!!

 

[DrLovegood]

Thanks for letting us know! Out of curiosity, where did you choose?

I chose TCOM. 🙂

 

[nobodyisnothere]

I got in off the wait list today, IS, 3.9 GPA, 33 MCAT!

 

[ONEI1]

so... anxious!!!

 

[moonindigo]

Waitlist is moving! I just got in today. IS, 3.84 GPA, 29 MCAT. Only acceptance so far - - happiest day ever. 🙂

 

[Frenchick]

Waitlist is moving! I just got in today. IS, 3.84 GPA, 29 MCAT. Only acceptance so far - - happiest day ever. 🙂

Congratulations! Do you mind sharing the date you interviewed?

 

[moonindigo]

Congratulations! Do you mind sharing the date you interviewed?

Sure! Transmitted: 7/28, II: 8/7, Interviewed: 9/26

 

[nobodyisnothere]

Withdrew my acceptance this morning! I hope one of you gets my spot/hears back soon, good luck everyone!

 

[Blindman]

I just got accepted off the waitlist! OOS. I interviewed on 8/15/14 and my stats are 3.97/36. There is hope!

 

[Statemed]

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